AI Rate Professor

Physics

Douglas Folsom

PHYS102 · PSY105 · PHYS111 · PHYS105106 · PHYS101 · PHYS110 · PHYS121 · PHYS106 · PHYSICS101 · PHYS105 · PHYSICS102 · 41 lifetime ratings

AI rating
82/100
RMP rating
4.3/5
Take again
89.29%
Difficulty
3.0

The decision

if you want a caring, energetic physics teacher and and quizzes—brush up on math for non-conceptual courses.

Best fit · Effort For RewardPassionate PhysicsHomework Points MatterEngaging LecturesTest and Quiz HeavyAttendance Flexible
  • Passionate, energetic lecturer who makes physics interesting and is widely respected and approachable.
  • Grades often driven by online homework volume plus quizzes and a final; .
  • Course difficulty varies by level—conceptual PHYS101 feels easier than algebra-based series needing strong math.

Key questions

Four answers before you build your schedule.

Is this an easy A?

FairEffort

62/100

Many get As and quizzes, but and math readiness matters.

Online often notes fewer tests or easy overall grades; and quiz difficulty.

Is the course easy?

Standard

48/100

Conceptual physics can feel easy, but PHYS102/105/106 often feel challenging when quizzes demand more math than lectures emphasize.

Online and weak; PHYS101 is described as easier.

Is attendance flexible?

Optional

78/100

Most recent reviews say attendance is not mandatory, though lectures help and .

; hybrid sections reward going in person for discussion credit.

Is this professor recommended?

WorthIt

82/100

, and fairness despite homework load and occasional test frustration.

In-person recommendations are warmer; online has more mixed engagement comments but .

Course guide

See how this professor fits your week.

Grading

Lenient

72/100

Often , and generous help; a few call quizzes harsh if math is weak.

Format shift

Online students note understanding grading during remote terms; .

Workload

Moderate

45/100

, and discussion posts; load is manageable but time-consuming.

Format shift

Lots of .

Teaching experience

Good

84/100

Passionate, clear conceptual teaching and approachability dominate, with .

Format shift

; some online sections felt hands-off.

Assessment method

Balanced

62/100

Mix of , and a final; not pure exams but .

Format shift

Online sometimes reduced ; and test heavy.

Luni fit check

Weigh these signals against your actual schedule.

Get help balancing workload, grading, and timing when no option is an obvious fit.

Course format

Compare the in-person and online experience.

Classroom format

In person

34 reviews

High confidence · Best fit for Effort For Reward

, and fair points-based grading, with some complaints about quiz/test mismatch and math prerequisites.

Main concern

Weekly quizzes and ; weak algebra/trig prep hurts.

What students said

“Doug is awesome!! SUPER smart - you can literally ask him ANYTHING and he ALWAYS has a good answer.”
PHYS121
“Basically the easiest class ever. points in the class.”
PHYS102
“i had to learn the entire course on my own because what he taught in lecture was entirely different to the tests.”
PHYS121

Remote format

Online

7 reviews

Medium confidence · Best fit for Self Taught Pro

and fair with limited exams; others felt disengaged or .

Main concern

Less one-on-one access and occasional confusion about teaching style online.

What students said

“I took Folsom online and he was surprisingly disengaged my entire class was confused whether or not his teaching style was even considered teaching.”
PHYS121
“Doug is the best! With covid, he has been very understanding if you reach out. and grades in a fair way. .”
PHYS121
“You'll have to figure out most of the content on your own. He helps a lot in discussions if .”
PHYS102

Exam style

Know what to expect from exams and major assignments.

Standard physics assessment with weekly quizzes and ; some open resource on Canvas.

Weekly QuizzesHomework HeavyFinal ExamCanvas Resources Allowed Sometimes

Assessment risk

Standard

55/100

Low score means less forgiving assessment conditions.

In person

to real exams, and points-based grading; resources on Canvas sometimes allowed.

Weekly QuizPractice ExamsPoints-Based CurveTest Heavy
“ you to use resources on canvas.”
PHYS121
“ . He makes tough material very doable AND interesting!”
PHYS121

Online

Online reviews mention homework, quizzes, and sometimes only one final; .

Homework and QuizzesSingle Final SometimesDiscussion Board Help
“ . Reach out to people and .”
PHYS121
“ homework, quizzes, and the final. but graded well.”
PHYS121

Student evidence

See what students actually said.

Top student voice

“Doug is awesome!! SUPER smart - you can literally ask him ANYTHING and he ALWAYS has a good answer. He makes tough material very doable AND interesting!”

Voice snapshots generated from 41 reviews (7 online, 34 in , and math readiness. Credibility rating: High.

⚡ Passion for Physics

84/100

“He is so passionate about physics, which kept me motivated!”

📚

62/100

“The vast majority of , so you can brute force your way to an A .”

⚠️

40/100

“i had to learn the entire course on my own because what he taught in lecture was entirely different to the tests.”

Theme 1

👨‍🏫 About Teaching Style

  • Fun, engaging, quirky professor who brings the material to life.
  • Lectures are great, essential since there is no textbook.
  • Honestly love and a great teacher.

Theme 2

📈 About Difficulty & Grades

  • Physics 101 wasn't that hard! If and go to the lectures you can get an A pretty easy!
  • Folsom goes over Algebra concepts during lecture, but the quizzes and and Precalculus.
  • Tests and so be prepared for them.

Theme 3

❤️ About Character

  • kind and helpful
  • .
  • He is so incredibly positive.

Data context

See exactly what the AI read.

Analysis sample

41

Recent reviews read by the AI

41

Lifetime ratings

90/100

Evidence confidence

41 reviews spanning many years and course numbers, with and workload notes and consistent core themes despite some polarity on difficulty.

Inside 41 stored ratings

Quality ratings

5 out of 526
4 out of 58
3 out of 55
2 out of 51
1 out of 51

Course coverage

PHYS10111 reviews
PHYS1219 reviews
PHYS1027 reviews
1062 reviews
PHYS1052 reviews
Show 7 more courses
PHYS1051062 reviews
PHYSICS1012 reviews
PSY1052 reviews
PHYS1061 review
PHYS1101 review
PHYS1111 review
PHYSICS1021 review

Reported outcomes

A range results lead the reported letter grades.

31 reported outcomes

A range

19

A+ 9 · A 8 · A- 2

B range

7

B+ 3 · B 2 · B- 2

C range

2

C+ 1 · C 1

D range

0

No reported values

F

0

No reported values

No letter grade reported

3

Not sure yet 2 · Rather_Not_Say 1